Combination inline dispenser and non-fitted cartridge

ABSTRACT

An inline dispenser and purification device combination comprising an inline dispenser having fluid ports directly mateable to the ports of a fitted cartridge and a universal cartridge having no ports for connection with the fluid ports of the inline dispenser and a method of replacing a fitted cartridge located within a inline dispenser with a universal cartridge having no ports for connection with the fluid ports of the inline dispenser.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/151,834,filed May 20, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,551, which is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/628,637, filed Jul. 31, 2000 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,500,334.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to fluid treatment and, morespecifically to an open flow path system, namely the combination of aninline dispenser having fluid ports which are normally directly mateableto the ports of a fitted cartridge with a non-fitted cartridge havingports that are not directly mated to the fluid ports of the inlinedispenser. The present invention also comprises the method of replacinga “closed flow path system” wherein a fitted cartridge has portsdirectly mated to the fluid outlet port of an inline dispenser with an“open flow path system” wherein the cartridge is not fitted and theports of the cartridge do not directly mate with the fluid ports of theinline dispenser.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inline fluid dispensers typically comprise a housing having an internalchamber, a fluid outlet port and a fluid inlet port that are in directfluid communication through a fitted cartridge containing a dispensingmaterial therein.

In operation of an inline fluid dispenser, a fluid stream, which entersa dispenser valve inlet of the dispenser housing, is split into twoparts, a main fluid stream that flows directly through the dispenserhousing from the dispenser valve inlet to a dispenser valve outlet and asecondary fluid stream that is diverted through an internal chamber ofthe inline dispenser before exiting through the dispenser valve outlet.

The fitted cartridges for these inline dispensers have an interiorchamber, which forms part of a closed path for the secondary fluidstream. That is, the secondary fluid stream is confined by the fittedcartridge and does not flow into the internal chamber of the housing.The use of a closed path through the fitted cartridge assures that fluidflows through the dispensing material in the fitted cartridge.

Located on one end of the fitted cartridge is an inlet port that isdirectly mateable to the fluid outlet port of the dispenser housing tothereby provide a direct and closed flow path for the secondary fluidstream to flow into the interior of the fitted cartridge. Located on theopposing end of the fitted cartridge is an outlet port that is directlymateable to the fluid inlet port of the dispenser housing to provide adirect and closed flow path for the secondary fluid stream to flow outof the fitted cartridge. Thus the mating between the ports of the inlinedispensers to the ports of their fitted cartridges provide a “closedflow path” for directing the secondary fluid stream from the main fluidstream through the fitted cartridge. An example of an inline dispenserusing a fitted cartridge with a closed path is shown in King U.S. Pat.No. 5,076,315.

A number of other inline dispensers are commercially available.Typically, these commercially available inline dispensers have differentshapes and sizes. Although the commercially available inline dispenseruse fitted cartridges to create a closed flow path, the different inlinedispensers usually have different fluid ports locations and differentcartridge connection points. As a result the fitted cartridge for eachinline dispenser manufacturer is unique to that manufacturer's owndispenser. Consequently the fitted cartridge from one manufacturer isnot capable of being used as a replacement cartridge in an inlinedispenser produced by another manufacturer because each cartridge isspecifically configured to connect to the manufacture's own inlinedispenser.

The present invention comprises the combination of an inline dispenserand a non-fitted cartridge. The housing of the inline dispenser has afluid outlet port for normally directly mating to an inlet port on afitted cartridge and a fluid inlet port for normally directly mating toan outlet port on the fitted cartridge. However, the non-fittedcartridge used in the present invention has no ports for directly matingwith either the fluid outlet port or the fluid inlet port of the inlinedispenser. In addition, the non-fitted cartridge need occupy only aportion of the internal chamber of the inline dispenser housing.Consequently, the combination creates an open flow path between thefluid outlet port and the fluid inlet port of the inline dispenser.

Although inline dispensers have traditionally relied on directing asecondary stream along a closed path I have discovered that one canobtain proper dispensing even though the dispenser contains an open pathsystem. More specifically, I have discovered that one can place anon-fitted cartridge with multiple ports in the inline dispenser housingand, even though an open flow path exists in the dispenser, one canstill obtain the proper dispensing. The present invention comprises acombination of an inline dispenser and a non-fitted cartridge that forman open flow path through the inline dispenser. The discovery that openflow paths can be used in an inline dispenser allows one to usenon-fitted cartridges in inline dispensers that normally use fittedcartridges.

The present invention also comprises the method of replacing a “closedpath” in an inline dispenser system wherein a fitted cartridge has aninlet port directly mated to the fluid outlet port of an inlinedispenser and has an outlet return port directly mated to the fluidinlet port of the inline dispenser with an “open path” wherein thecartridge ports do not directly mate with either the fluid outlet portor the fluid inlet port of the inline dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises the combination of an inline dispenserhousing and a non-fitted cartridge. The dispenser housing has a fluidoutlet port for normally directly mating to a fluid inlet port in afitted cartridge and a fluid inlet port for normally directly mating toa fluid outlet port in the fitted cartridge to form a closed flow path.Located within the dispenser housing is a non-fitted universal cartridgecontaining a dispensable material. The non-fitted universal cartridgewhen placed in the chamber of the dispenser housing need not be matedwith the ports of the dispenser housing but can be spaced from the fluidoutlet port and fluid inlet port of the dispenser housing. In operation,the port or ports on the non-fitted universal cartridge form an openflow path with the fluid outlet port and fluid inlet port of the inlinedispenser thus allowing the universal cartridge to be used in a numberof different types of inline dispensers.

The present invention also comprises the method of replacing a closedflow path system wherein a fitted cartridge has an inlet port directlymated to the fluid outlet port of an inline dispenser and has an outletport directly mated to the fluid inlet port of the inline dispenser withan open flow path system wherein the ports of a non-fitted universalcartridge do not directly mate with the fluid ports of the inlinedispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fitted cartridge use in an inlinedispenser;

FIG. 2 shows an inline water purification dispenser with a fittedcartridge contain purification material connected thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water purification device for use inthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the water purification device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the water purification device shown of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the water purification device ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows the present invention comprising applicant's purificationdevice and the inline dispenser of U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,315;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 taken along the lines 7A-7A;

FIG. 8 shows the present invention comprising applicant's purificationdevice and a dispenser having a fluid conduit tapering to a midpointregion on the conduit;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but with a fluid conduit of the dispensertapering to a region on the conduit proximal to the fluid inlet port;

FIG. 10 shows the present invention comprising applicant's purificationdevice and the dispenser of U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,802.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of a two-piece dual dispensing cartridge thatcan be used as the water purification container for applicant'scombination inline dispenser and water purification container;

FIG. 12 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the two-piece dualdispensing cartridge of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a front view of a one-piece dual dispensing cartridge thatcan be used as the water purification container for applicant'scombination inline dispenser and water purification material container;

FIG. 14 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the one-piece dualdispensing cartridge of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the two-piece dualdispensing cartridge freely supported within the inline dispenser ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 16 shows a front view of a one-piece cylindrical shaped dualdispensing cartridge that can be used as the water purificationcontainer for applicant's combination inline dispenser and waterpurification material container;

FIG. 17 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cylindrical shapedone-piece dual dispensing cartridge of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the securement gatesto the interior surface chambers of the cartridge of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cylindrical shaped dualdispensing cartridge having one a first chamber with a fixed fluid flowand a second chamber having a variable fluid flow; and

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the inline dispenserof FIG. 7 supporting the cylindrical dual dispensing cartridge of FIG.16 therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a combination of an inline dispenser wherein afitted cartridge therein has been replaced with a non-fitted cartridgeto provide an open flow path system for dispensing water purificationmaterial. FIG. 7 shows an open flow path system comprising an inlinewater purification material dispenser housing 51 with a non-fittedcartridge 20 located therein. FIGS. 3-6 show a non-fitted cartridge 20suitable for use in the present invention and FIGS. 8-10 show thenon-fitted cartridge 20 located within different types of inline waterpurification material dispensers.

Prior art and commercially available closed path inline waterpurification material dispensers typically comprises an inline dispenserhousing having an internal chamber for support of a fitted cartridge, afitted cartridge containing a water purification material therein, and afluid outlet port and a fluid inlet port that are in direct fluidcommunication through the ports of the fitted cartridge.

The fitted cartridges for these closed path inline dispensers generallyhave an interior chamber for holding a water purification materialtherein which forms part of a closed path for the secondary fluidstream. That is, in a closed path system the fitted cartridge confinesthe entire secondary fluid stream within the fitted cartridge. Locatedon one end of the fitted cartridge is a water inlet port directlymateable to the fluid outlet port of the dispenser housing to therebyprovide for a direct and closed flow path for fluids to enter theinterior of the fitted cartridge. Located on the other end of the fittedcartridge is a water outlet port directly mateable to the fluid inletport of the dispenser housing to thereby provide for a direct and closedflow path for fluids to flow through the fitted cartridge. Examples of aclosed path prior art inline dispenser using a fitted cartridge is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,315, which are incorporated herein, as FIGS. 1and 2, to illustrate the closed path system.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fitted cartridge 10 for use in aninline water purification material dispenser 15 of FIG. 2. Fittedcartridge 10 is shown in FIG. 1 having a cartridge inlet port 11 and acartridge outlet port 12 for directing a secondary fluid stream throughthe interior of the fitted cartridge for the dispensing of purificationmaterials.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing fitted cartridge 10 used in awater purification material inline dispenser 15. In FIG. 2, the matingbetween cartridge water inlet port 11 and fluid outlet port 13 of inlinedispenser 15 provides for a direct and closed flow path for the entirefluid stream to flow into fitted cartridge 10 and flow through a waterpurification material 16 located within fitted cartridge 10. As thefluid stream flows through fitted cartridge 10, purification material 16is released into the fluid stream and is carried out of fitted cartridge10 through the direct closed flow path created by the mating betweencartridge water outlet port 12 and fluid inlet port 14 of inlinedispenser 15. Since the mating between the fluid ports of inlinedispenser 15 and cartridge water inlet port 11 and cartridge wateroutlet port 12 provides for a direct closed flow path into and out fromfitted cartridge 10, the entire secondary fluid stream must flow throughfitted cartridge 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mating between cartridge inlet port 11 and fluidoutlet port 13 and cartridge outlet port 12 and fluid inlet port 14 alsoprovides fixed support for retaining fitted cartridge 10 in positionwithin internal chamber 15 a.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water purification material container,having no ports for directly mating to the fluid ports of the inlinedispenser. The embodiment of FIG. 3 can be used as the waterpurification material container for applicant's combination inlinedispenser and water purification material container.

The water purification device 20 illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 is shown anddescribed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 09/628,637; titled STANDALONE WATER PURIFIER; filed Jul. 31, 2000, which is incorporated hereinby reference. It has been found that even though the water purificationmaterial container of FIG. 3 has no ports to directly mate with thefluid ports of an inline dispenser, it can be used within an inlinedispenser as part of applicant's open path system. The waterpurification material container of FIG. 3 comprises a water purificationdevice 20 with water purification device 20 having a general sphericalshape with a cover 22, which is also suitable for use as a handle forremoving and replacing the water purification device 20 from an interiorchamber of a housing when the water purification material is spent. Thatis, cover 22 is spaced sufficiently far from a shroud 21 so that a usercan insert his or her fingers beneath the cover 22 to lift the waterpurification device 20 from the inline dispenser. The water purificationdevice 20 is suitable for use in flow conditions where debris can bepresent.

Shroud 21 extends radially outward to extend circumferentially over acontainer 23 located thereunder. Shroud 21 includes a first set ofshroud water inlets 21 a, a second set of shroud water inlets 21 b and athird set of shroud water inlets 21 c for directing water into container23. Each of the individual water shroud inlets have an arcuate shape andeach of the water inlets includes at least three water inlet ports withthe apex of each of the arcuate shroud water inlets located at thehighest vertical position of the shroud inlet. The shroud inletstogether with the shroud as will be described herein provide forflushing debris away from the shroud inlets when the purification device20 is placed in a debris environment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the water purification device 20, showingshroud 21 extending radially outward over container 23 at a distancedenoted by R. Shroud 21 forms a lateral top shield for a circumferentialwater inlet 32 formed between container 23 and cover 22. That is, a setof tabs 28 connect and hold shroud 21 in a spaced condition fromcontainer 23 so that water can flow laterally in the circumferentialinlet 32 located around the periphery of water purification device 20.The purpose of having shroud 21 extend beyond the periphery of container23 is to enable the shroud to carry water and debris that impingesnormally on water purification device 20 to be carried past the lateralshielded water inlets 32. The arrow indicates the direction of waterflow as the water flows over circumferential edge 30 of the shroud 21.However, since the water itself will tend to be drawn backward to theunderside side 29 of shroud 21 by the Coanda effect, water will bedirected laterally inward into container 23 though inlet 32.Consequently, for debris to enter circumferential inlet 32 would requirethat the debris make an abrupt change in direction to flow into thecircumferential inlet. Consequently, the momentum of the debris causesit to separate from the flow of water and be carried pastcircumferential inlet 32. Thus circumferential water inlets 32 provideone path for ingress of water into water purification device 20 whileinhibiting debris from entering therein.

Located on the top portion of water purification device 20 is acylindrical extension 25 that extends vertically upward from shroud 21to the underside of cover 22. FIG. 5 illustrates that cylindricalextension 25 is shield by cover 21. Locate within cylindrical extension25 is a set of circumferentially spaced elongated slots 25 a thatcommunicate with an interior chamber of water purification device 20.Elongated slots 25 a provide a primary water inlet of water into thewater purification device 20 while the cover 22 shields the water inletsfrom clogging with debris by extending laterally past the elongatedopenings to thereby inhibit debris from entering water inlets 25 a.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the water purification device 20 showing cover22 with portions of cover 22 extending radially outward in threedifferent directions. The cover 22 completely shields the water inlet 25a (FIG. 4) from the normal flow direction. It is noted that the set ofshroud water inlets 21 a, 21 b and 21 c are not shielded by cover 22 butare spaced radially outward on shroud 21 with each of the water inletshaving a curved recess that surrounds the port therein. For purposes ofdescription only one of the shroud ports and inlets will be describedhowever, the others have similar shapes. Reference numeral 33 identifiesan arcuate shaped recess 33 with an arcuate shaped port 34 positionedcentrally therein at the bottom of the arcuate shaped recess 33. Thepurpose of having the recess 33 located below the plane of the shroud isso that any debris that might block the port 34 would not be able tocome into direct contact with port 34 thereby allowing a continuing flowof water to channel or wash any debris off the smooth dome shape ofshroud 21.

While flow is directed over the surface of the dome shaped shroud 21there are included a set of scallops for funneling the water around thewater purification device 20. As each of the scallops is identical onlyone will be described herein. A scallop 21 f is located in waterpurification device 20 to provide a larger area for water to flow pastthe shroud. As a result water tends to funnel laterally into the scallop21 f and over the recessed areas of the shroud inlets thereby producinga washing action over the set of shroud water inlets 21 a to therebyinhibit debris in the water from blocking or obstructing the shroudwater inlets 21 a, 21 b and 21 c. It is apparent that in the presentinvention each of the water inlets include either an obstruction or aflow diverter to inhibit debris from blocking the water inlets.

Located on the top side of water purification device 20 is a reminderdial that contains an outer section listing symbols that correspond tothe month of the year and an interior rotatable dial 36 that can berotated so that pointer 37 points to the month that the waterpurification device 20 should be replaced.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of water purification device 20 withflow arrows indicating the multiple separate flows of water through thewater purification device 20 if flow enters from the top. Located withinthe interior of water purification device 20 is a water passage 38 thatextends centrally through water purification device 20 with theelongated slots 25 a being in fluid communication with water passage 38.Extending circumferentially around passage 38 are a set ofcircumferential water inlets 38 a that direct water radially outwardfrom passage 38 into an annular chamber 42 wherein water flows thoroughwater purification material 41 located in an annular compartment 44within container 23. In the present embodiment of purification device20, the water purification material 41 includes a silver ion generatingmaterial. In addition zinc or other metals could be used and if desiredlimestone can be used to maintain the pH of the water. Purificationdevice 20, as shown, is well suited for the mineral type dispensers asthe minerals can be shielded and protected from debris contamination.

Passage 38 includes a restriction 39 that comprises a radial restrictionin flow area through passage 38. The purpose of restriction 39 is toincrease the resistance to water flow through passage 43 thus creating aback pressure in region 43 in fluid passage 38 which causes water toflow laterally and radially outward through water inlet 38 a and intothe water purification material 41. The amount of restriction can beadjusted to maintain the proper flow through the water purificationdevice by increasing or decreasing the diameter of the opening therein.It will be evident that the water flowing though inlet 25 a has tworoutes, a first route straight through the water purification device 20without contacting the minerals 41 and a second route through the waterpurification minerals 41.

To illustrate the multiple flow paths of water through the waterpurification device 20 references should be made to FIG. 6, which showsa water flow arrow 45. Water flows through primary water inlet 25 a andinto central chamber 43 in water passage 38. A portion of the water flowis delivered into minerals 41 as indicated by arrow 45 a and a furtherportion, indicated by arrow 45 b, flows directly through passage 42without coming into contact with the water purification materials 41.Thus a portion of the primary flow of water that enters the top of thewater purification device flows directly through the water purificationdevice without contacting the water purification materials while afurther portion is brought into contact with the water purificationmaterials 41.

Referring again to FIG. 6, a second flow path of water into chamber 42through inlets 21 b is indicated by arrow 46. This portion of waterflows downward into minerals 41 without any of the water stream beingdirected away from the water purification material.

FIG. 6 shows a third source of water flowing into container 23 throughthe circumferential passage 22 which extends between container 23 andshroud 21. Arrow 47 indicates the direction of flow of water throughpassage 22 directly into the minerals 41. In each case the water flowsthrough the minerals 41 and is discharged from the container 23 throughwater outlets 23 a located at the lower portion of container 23 asindicated by the arrows extending through outlets 23 a. Thus inoperation of the invention water can be directed through any of thethree set of water inlets with two of the water inlets including eithera cover to prevent direct flow of water into the water inlets and thethird water inlet having a recess with an arcuate shape that allow waterto be funneled toward the inlet and thereby wash off any debris that mayhave a tendency to block entry. From the above description it isapparent that in operation two of the three water inlets direct all thewater into the minerals 41 while the third inlet directs only a portionof the water into the water purification materials.

While only one set of water inlets could be used to direct water throughwater purification device 20, the use of multiple water inlets each ofwhich have some type of mechanism for maintaining the water inlet in adebris free condition greatly enhances the chances of at least some ofthe water inlets being maintained in an open condition so that water canbe continually purified as water flows through the water purificationdevice 20. Thus the water purification device continues to provideenhanced water purification characteristics even though some of thewater inlets may become blocked with debris.

Water purification device 20 is well suited for placement in a fluidstream where debris can be present since the cover 22 and shroud 21 canbe used to shield a portion of the ports and thus prevent blockage ofthe ports. To inhibit blockage of ports when debris is present the fluidis directed toward the cover 22 and shroud 21. However, if no debris ispresent then flow can proceed through the container 20 in any directionand the container need not be oriented as to shield the inlet ports fromdebris. That is, fluid flow could enter normal outlet ports 23 a anddischarge through inlet ports located in the purification device 20. Themulti-directional flow feature in debris free water makes purificationdevice 20 suitable for use in either systems that carry debris orsystems or portions of systems that are free of debris. A typicalportion of a system that is maintained free of debris through filters orscreens is the portion of the system that carries the inline dispensersince the water must flow through a constricted path in the dispenserhousing in order to separate a portion of the stream from the mainstream.

Although purification device 20 is usable in either a debris laden wateror water free of debris a feature of purification device 20 which onewould assume makes it unsuitable for use in a closed path system of aninline dispenser is that the ports in water purification device 20 donot contain extensions for directly mating with other portions of aclosed path system. As previously pointed out the inline dispenserstypically divert a portion of a stream directly through the ports of afitted cartridge placeable in a chamber within the inline dispenser. Thepurpose of purification device 20 is to provide a housing for confininga water purification material therein and fluid ports for ingress andegress through the housing so that fluid can come into contact with thewater purification material therein. It has been found that even thoughpurification device 20 contains no mating ports it can be inserted intoa portion of the chamber of inline dispenser housing thereby convertinga closed path system to an open path system wherein water is free toflow either through or around purification device 20. Although water isfree to flow either around or through purification device 20 whichoccupies only a portion of the chamber in an inline dispenser housing ithas been found that one can controllably release water purificationmaterial thereby rendering it unnecessary to use a cartridge that matesthe ports of the purification device 20 directly to the ports of theinline dispersal valve.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 show examples of applicant's open path dispensingsystem comprising different types of inline water dispensers supportinga non-fitted cartridge containing water purification material therein.Each of the inline water purification material dispenser housing ofFIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are commercially available and have fluid portsfor directly mating to the water ports on a fitted cartridge (notshown). Unlike the prior art inline dispensers that have ports that aremated with a fitted cartridge to form a closed flow path for thedispensing of water purification material, applicant's system as shownin FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10, uses an inline dispenser and waterpurification material device 20 to provide for an open flow path system.That is, in an open flow path system the water purification materialdevice 20 is not directly connected to the fluid ports of the inlinedispenser to dispense proper purification material. Instead, while inuse within the inline dispenser housing, the water inlet and wateroutlet of the water purification material container of applicant'sinvention are actually spaced from the fluid ports of the inlinedispenser to form an open flow path.

The commercially available inline water purification material dispenserhousing useable in applicant's invention are the inline dispenserhousings that have a fluid outlet port and a fluid inlet port thatdirectly mate to a fitted cartridge for directing a secondary fluidstream through an interior chamber of the dispenser housing. Acharacteristic of these inline dispensers is that they separate a fluidstream into two separate streams, a first stream that flows directlythrough the housing and a secondary stream that flows through a fittedcartridge through a close flow path, i.e. the water inlet port of thefitted cartridge is directly mated to fluid outlet port of the inlinedispenser and the water outlet port of the fitted cartridge is directlymated to fluid inlet port of the inline dispenser to provide for adirect closed flow path for water to flow through the fitted cartridge.In addition, the interior chamber of the dispenser housing issufficiently large to fixedly support a non-fitted cartridge therein tomaintain the ports in engagement with each other. Examples of inlinedispenser housings capable of being used as the inline dispenser housingin applicant's open path system can be found in the inline dispenserhousing of FIGS. 2 and 7-10.

Inline dispenser housing for directing a secondary fluid stream througha fitted cartridge in a close path are commercially available frommanufactures such as King Technology of Hopkins, Minn.; Hayward PoolProducts, Inc. of Elizabeth, N.J.; Olympic Pool Accessories of Montreal,Quebec, Canada; and Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. andPentair Pool Products of Sanford, N.C.

In regards to the water purification material container for use inapplicant open path system, the water purification material containerfor applicant's invention can comprise a variety of embodiments which donot have ports to directly mate with the fluid ports of the inlinedispenser housing. Thus various size and shapes of containers areuseable but the water purification material container should besufficiently small to be placeable within the interior chamber of theinline dispenser housing, without blocking the ports of the inlinedispenser housing. In general, fitted cartridges used in prior artinline dispensers generally fill the entire interior chamber of theinline dispenser in order to hold the cartridge in position, whereas thewater purification material container for applicant's invention need notbe held in a fixed condition, the purification material container needto encompass only a portion of the interior chamber of the inlinedispenser. The use of a portion of the chamber can allow fluids tolinger within the internal housing of the inline dispenser; however, itdoes not prevent dispersion of material into the fluid stream. That is,with an open path flow system in an inline dispenser the secondary fluidis not confined to a single flow path, yet one can dispenser materialsinto the fluid stream.

Although water purification containers such as water purification device20 of FIGS. 3-6 are shown with multiple ports, the water purificationmaterial container for use in applicant's inline open path system couldhave one opening that can be used both as the fluid inlet and fluidoutlet of the container or could have a plurality of openings with afirst portion of the plurality of openings comprising the fluid inlet ofthe container and a second portion of the plurality of openingscomprising the fluid outlet of the container. Alternatively, instead ofhaving openings, the water purification material container useable inthe open flow path system could comprise water permeable walls capableof maintaining water purification material in solid form within thecontainer while allowing for the flow of fluid and dissolved waterpurification material therethrough.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, in the general operation of applicant's openpath system that uses in combination an inline dispenser and anon-fitted water purification material container such as purificationdevice 20, a fluid stream entering a dispenser valve inlet of thedispenser housing is split into two parts. The first part is the mainfluid stream that flows directly through the dispenser housing from thedispenser inlet valve to a dispenser outlet valve and the second part isa secondary fluid stream that is diverted through the fluid outlet portof the dispenser housing and into the internal chamber of the inlinedispenser housing. Once through the fluid outlet port the secondaryfluid stream flows into the internal chamber of the inline dispenser andcan linger therein before the secondary fluid stream is directed out ofthe internal chamber of the inline dispenser and back into the mainfluid stream through the fluid inlet port of the inline dispenser.

As the secondary fluid stream can linger and flow within the internalchamber of the housing a portion of the secondary fluid stream flowsthrough purification device 20 through ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a and 32 ofpurification device 20. While the secondary stream is in the interior ofthe water purification material container, purification materialslocated therein are released into the fluid stream. The waterpurification materials are then carried by the secondary fluid streamfrom the internal chamber of the dispenser back into the main fluidstream through the fluid inlet port of the inline dispenser housing.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 all show the applicant's open path system withvarious inline water dispensers and water purification device 20. Theinline dispensers of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are all designed to be usewith their own specifically fitted cartridges to form a close flow pathsystem. In addition, the inline dispensers of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 allhave fluid ports located within their internal chambers for matingdirectly to the ports of their fitted cartridges to provide for a directclosed flow path for the flow of a secondary fluid stream into and outfrom the interior of their fitted cartridges.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing applicant's open pathsystem comprising water purification device 20 and an inline dispenser50. Inline dispenser 50 is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,315and is manufactured and sold by King Technology, Inc., located inHopkins, Minn. As shown, inline dispenser 50 includes a housing 51.Located within housing 51 is an internal chamber 56, which is capable ofsupporting water purification device 20 freely therein. The lowerportion of internal chamber 56 includes a fluid outlet port 57 fordirecting a secondary stream of fluid into internal chamber 56 and afluid inlet port 58 for directing a secondary fluid stream out ofinternal chamber 56.

In the normal operation of inline dispenser 50 with a fitted cartridge(not shown), a main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 50 through adispenser valve inlet 52 at a first fluid velocity, and moves through afluid conduit 54 and exits dispenser 50 by way of a dispenser valveoutlet 53. As the main fluid stream moves through conduit 54, a fluidoutlet port 57 directs a secondary fluid stream originating from themain fluid stream axially upward into a fitted cartridge (not shown)located within the internal chamber 56 through the direct closed flowpath formed by the mating between a water inlet port of the fittedcartridge and fluid outlet port 57 of dispenser 50. Once in the fittedcartridge (not shown) a fluid inlet port 58 of the inline dispenserdirects the secondary fluid stream axially downward from the fittedcartridge back into the main fluid stream through the direct closed flowpath formed by the mating between the fitted cartridge outlet port (notshown) and fluid inlet port 58 of dispenser 50. As the secondary fluidstream flows through the fitted cartridge, purification materials arereleased into the secondary fluid stream for water purification.

Introducing the secondary fluid stream containing water purificationmaterial back into the main fluid stream results in the main fluidstream exiting dispenser 50 through dispenser valve outlet 53 at asecond fluid velocity.

Referring to FIG. 7, note that unlike the use of the prior art fittedcartridges with inline dispenser 50, which requires that the fittedcartridge be directly mated to inline dispenser 50, applicant's waterpurification device 20 is shown in FIG. 7 is freely located withininternal chamber 56 of inline dispenser 50 with ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a,and 32 of water purification device 20 all spaced from the fluid ports57 and 58 of inline dispenser 50 to thereby form an open flow system.The open flow path permits the secondary fluid stream to linger withininternal chamber 56 so that water purification device 20 can dispenserproper purification material into the secondary fluid stream before thesecondary fluid stream is directed from internal chamber 56 back intothe main fluid stream through fluid inlet port 58. Since waterpurification device 20 does not require water inlets 21 b, 25 a, and 32and outlets 23 a be directly connected to or engaging the fluid ports ofinline dispenser 50 in order for water purification device 20 todispense proper purification material, applicant's combination inlinedispenser 50 and water purification device 20 that forms an open flowpath through the inline dispenser allows one to use water purificationdevice 20 in inline dispenser 50 which normally uses a fitted cartridgethus providing a universal water purification device.

FIG. 7 illustrates that water purification device 20 need not beconfined or secured to inline dispenser 20 but instead can be “freestanding” within the internal chamber of the dispenser housing 51, waterpurification device 20 is shown in FIG. 7 supported within inlinedispenser 50 by the interior wall surfaces of housing 51, instead of bythe fluid ports as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Inline dispenser 50 alsoincludes a flange 59 for further supporting water purification device 20within internal chamber 56. Both the flange 59 and the fluid ports 57and 58 are integral components of the inline dispenser 50.

In the operation of inline dispenser 50 with water purification device20, purification device 20 occupies a portion of the internal chamber 56of the inline dispenser housing 51 with water purification device 20dimensioned such that water purification device 20 cannot block thefluid outlet port 57 of dispenser 50 and preclude fluid flow throughinternal chamber 56.

A main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 50 through a dispenservalve inlet 52 at a first fluid velocity, and moves through a fluidconduit 54 (indicated by arrows) and exits dispenser 50 by way of adispenser valve outlet 53. As the main fluid stream moves throughconduit 54, fluid outlet port 57 directs a secondary fluid streamoriginating from the main fluid stream axially upward into internalchamber 56. Since water purification device 20 has no ports to mate withthe fluid ports of inline dispenser 50, there is no direct path for thesecondary fluid stream to flow from the fluid outlet port of thedispenser 50 to water purification device 20. As a result, the secondaryfluid stream takes a non-direct path to the water purification device 20by first flowing into internal chamber 56, thereby filling the internalchamber 56 of inline dispenser 50 with fluids. In spite of the lack of adirect path I have found that I can properly dispenser waterpurification materials into the system through an open path system.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, as the fluid outlet port 57 continues todirect the secondary fluid stream upward into the internal chamber 56, afluid level within the internal chamber 56, denoted by a fluid or waterline 56 a, will increase. When the fluid level within the internalchamber 56 of inline dispenser 50 reaches to a level where the inlets 21b, 25 a, and 32 of the water purification device 20 are below the fluidline 56 a, a portion of the secondary fluid stream is permitted to enterthrough water purification device 20 by water ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a,and 32 of water purification device 20 to thereby allow for the properdispensing of water purification materials.

A fluid inlet port 58 then directs the secondary fluid stream axiallydownward from the internal chamber 56 back into the main fluid stream.The movement of the secondary fluid stream back into the main fluidstream results in the main fluid stream exiting dispenser 50 throughdispenser valve outlet 53 at a second fluid velocity.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 7A-7A of FIG. 7showing water purification device 20 circumferentially supported withininline dispenser 50 by the interior wall surfaces of inline dispenser50. As shown, water purification device 20 includes scallops 21 e, 21 f,and 21 g located on the side of water purification device 20. When waterpurification device 20 is circumferentially supported within internalchamber 56 by the interior wall surfaces of inline dispenser 50,scallops 21 e, 21 f, and 21 g engages with the interior wall surfaces ofinline dispenser 50 to form openings 60 allowing for water to flowtherethrough. Also shown in FIG. 7A is cover 22 of water purificationdevice 20, which as previously discussed, may alternatively be used as ahandle for removing and inserting water purification device 20 into andout of inline dispenser 50.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an alternativeembodiment of applicant's open path system comprising water purificationdevice 20 and an inline dispenser 61. Inline dispenser 61 ismanufactured by Hayward Pool Products, Inc., located in Elizabeth, N.J.As shown, inline dispenser 61 includes a housing 62. Located withinhousing 62 is an internal chamber 66, which is capable of supportingwater purification device 20 freely therein. The lower portion ofinternal chamber 66 includes a fluid outlet port 67 for directing asecondary fluid stream into internal chamber 66 and a fluid inlet port68 for directing a secondary fluid stream out of internal chamber 66.Inline dispenser 61 also includes a fluid conduit 63 tapering from adispenser valve inlet 64 and a dispenser valve outlet 65 to proximatethe midpoint region between valve inlet 64 and valve outlet 65 such thatthe smallest internal diameter, D1, of fluid conduit 63 is locatedwithin the midpoint region between valve inlet 64 and valve outlet 65.

In the normal operation of dispenser 61 using a fitted cartridge (notshown), a main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 61 throughdispenser valve inlet 64 at a first fluid velocity, moves through afluid conduit 63 and exits dispenser 61 by way of dispenser valve outlet65.

As the main fluid stream moves through conduit 63, the fluid outlet port67 of dispenser 61 directs a secondary fluid stream originating from themain fluid stream axially upwards into the fitted cartridge (not shown)through the closed flow path created by the mating between a water inletport of fitted cartridge (not shown) and fluid outlet port 67 of inlinedispenser 61. Once in the fitted cartridge (not shown) the fluid inletport 68 of inline dispenser 61 then directs the secondary fluid streamaxially downward from the fitted cartridge (not shown) through thedirect closed flow path formed by the mating between the water outletport of the fitted cartridge (not shown) and the fluid inlet port 68 ofinline dispenser 61 and back into the main fluid stream through aconduit orifice 69 located within the midpoint region of fluid conduit63, which is the region of fluid conduit 63 having the smallest internaldiameter. As the secondary fluid stream flows through the fittedcartridge (not shown), water purification materials are released intothe secondary fluid stream for water purification. Introducing thesecondary fluid stream back into the main fluid stream results in themain fluid stream exiting dispenser 61 through dispenser valve outlet 65at a second fluid velocity.

Referring to FIG. 8, unlike the use of a fitted cartridge with inlinedispenser 61 which requires that the fitted cartridge be directly matedto dispenser 61, applicant's non-fitted water purification device 20 isshown located within internal chamber 66 of inline dispenser 60 withports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a, and 32 of water purification device 20 allspaced from the fluid ports 67 and 68 of inline dispenser 61 to therebyform an open flow system. The open flow path permits the secondary fluidstream to linger within internal chamber 66 so that water purificationdevice 20 can dispenser proper purification material into the secondaryfluid stream before the secondary fluid stream is directed from internalchamber 66 back into the main fluid stream. Since water purificationdevice 20 does not require water inlets 21 b, 25 a, and 32 and outlets23 a be directly connected to or engaging the fluid ports of inlinedispenser 61 in order for water purification device 20 to dispenseproper purification material, applicant's combination inline dispenser61 and water purification device 20 that forms an open flow path throughthe inline dispenser allows one to use water purification device 20 ininline dispenser 61 which normally uses a fitted cartridge.

In addition, unlike the use of the fitted cartridge with inlinedispenser 61, water purification device 20 also need not be confined orsecured to inline dispenser 61 but instead can be “free standing” withinthe internal chamber of the dispenser housing 51. Alternatively, waterpurification device 20 can be placed between the fluid ports of inlinedispenser 61 as shown in FIG. 8.

In the operation of dispenser 61 with water purification device 20 asshown in FIG. 8, purification device 20 is shown occupying a portion ofthe internal chamber 66 of the inline dispenser housing 61 with waterpurification device 20 dimensioned such that water purification device20 cannot block the fluid outlet port 67 of dispenser 61 and precludefluid flow through internal chamber 66.

A main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 61 through a dispenservalve inlet 64 at a first fluid velocity, and moves through a fluidconduit 63 and exits dispenser 61 by way of a dispenser valve outlet 65.As the main fluid stream moves through conduit 63, fluid outlet port 67directs a secondary fluid stream originating from the main fluid streamaxially upward into the internal chamber 66 of the inline dispenser 61.Since the water purification device 20 has no ports to mate with thefluid ports of inline dispenser 61, there is no direct path for thesecondary fluid stream to flow from the fluid outlet port 67 of thedispenser 61 to water purification device 20. As a result, the secondaryfluid stream takes a non-direct path to the water purification device 20by first flowing into internal chamber 66, thereby filling the internalchamber 66 of inline dispenser 61 with fluids up to the fluidline orwaterline 66 a. As the fluid outlet port 67 directs the secondary fluidstream into internal chamber 66 the fluid inlet port 68 directs thesecondary fluid stream axially downward from the internal chamber 66 ofthe inline dispenser 61 and back into the main fluid stream throughconduit orifice 69 located within the midpoint region of fluid conduit63. Introducing the secondary fluid stream back into the main fluidstream results in the main fluid stream exiting dispenser 61 throughdispenser valve outlet 65.

In FIG. 8, as the fluid outlet port 67 continues to direct the secondaryfluid stream upward into the internal chamber 66, a fluid level withinthe internal chamber 66, denoted by a fluid line 66 a, will increase.When the fluid level within the internal chamber 66 of inline dispenser61 reaches to a level where the inlets 21 b, 25 a, and 32 of the waterpurification device 20 are below the fluid line 66 a, a portion of thesecondary fluid stream is directed through water purification device 20by water ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a, and 32 of water purification device 20to thereby allow for the proper dispensing of water purificationmaterials.

FIGS. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of applicant's open path systemcomprising water purification device 20 and a different inline dispenser70. Inline dispenser 70 is manufactured by Olympic Pool Accessories,located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. As shown in FIG. 9, inlinedispenser 70 includes a housing 71. Located within housing 71 is aninternal chamber 77, which is capable of supporting water purificationdevice 20 freely therein. The lower portion of internal chamber 77includes a fluid outlet port 75 for directing a secondary fluid streaminto internal chamber 77 and a fluid inlet port 76 for directing asecondary fluid stream out of internal chamber 77. Inline dispenser 70also includes a fluid conduit 72 tapering from a dispenser valve inlet73 and a dispenser valve outlet 74 to a region on conduit 72 proximal tofluid inlet port 76 so that the smallest internal diameter, D2, of fluidconduit 72 is located within the region proximal fluid inlet port 76.

In the normal operation of dispenser 70 using a fitted cartridge (notshown), a main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 70 throughdispenser valve inlet 73 at a first fluid velocity, moves through afluid conduit 72 and exits dispenser 70 by way of dispenser valve outlet74. As the main fluid stream moves through conduit 72, the fluid outletport 75 of inline dispenser 70 directs a secondary fluid streamoriginating from the main fluid stream axially upwards into the fittedcartridge at a lower fluid velocity through the closed flow path createdby the mating between a water inlet port of the fitted cartridge (notshown) and the fluid outlet port 75 of inline dispenser 70. The fluidinlet port 76 of the inline dispenser then directs the secondary fluidstream axially downward from the fitted cartridge (not shown) throughthe direct closed flow path formed by the mating between a water outletport of the fitted cartridge (not shown) and the fluid inlet port 76 ofinline dispenser 70 and back into the main fluid stream through aconduit orifice 78 located within the region proximal to fluid inletport 76, which is the region of fluid conduit 72 having the smallestinternal diameter. As the secondary fluid stream flows through thefitted cartridge (not shown), purification materials are released intothe secondary fluid stream. Directing the secondary fluid stream backinto the main fluid stream results in the main fluid stream exitingdispenser 70 through dispenser valve outlet 74 at a second fluidvelocity.

Referring back to FIG. 9, unlike the afore described use of the fittedcartridge with inline dispenser 70, which requires that the fittedcartridge be directly mated to dispenser 70, in the embodiment of FIG. 9the applicant's water purification device 20 is shown located withininternal chamber 77 of inline dispenser 70 with ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a,and 32 of water purification device 20 all spaced from the fluid ports75 and 76 of inline dispenser 70 to thereby form an open flow path. Theopen flow path permits the secondary fluid stream to linger withininternal chamber 77 so that water purification device 20 can dispenserproper purification material into the secondary fluid stream before thesecondary fluid stream is directed from internal chamber 77 back intothe main fluid stream.

In addition, unlike the use of the fitted cartridge with inlinedispenser 70, water purification device 20 when use in combination withinline dispenser 70 also need not be confined or secured to inlinedispenser 70 but instead can be “free standing” within the internalchamber 77 of the dispenser housing 71. Although water purification 20can also alternatively be placed between the fluid ports of inlinedispenser 70 in the same fashion as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 shows waterpurification device 20 supported within internal chamber 77 on the sideof water purification 20. In supporting water purification device 20 onthe side, one of the scallop 21 e of water purification device 20 isshown engaging a bottom surface 71 a of housing 71 so as to providegreater surface area for the support of water purification device 20 onbottom surface 71 a.

Note that no matter how water purification device 20 is supported withininternal chamber 77, similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, inlet 21 a, 25 a, and 32and outlet 23 a of water purification device 20 are all spaced fromfluid outlet port 75 and fluid inlet port 76 of dispenser 70 therebyforming an open flow path. Since water purification device 20 does notrequire water inlets 21 b, 25 a, and 32 and outlets 23 a to be directlyconnected to or engaging the fluid ports of inline dispenser 70 in orderfor water purification device 20 to dispense proper purificationmaterial, applicant's combination inline dispenser and waterpurification device 20 that forms an open flow path through the inlinedispenser allows one to use water purification device 20 in inlinedispenser 70 which normally uses a fitted cartridge.

In the operation of dispenser 70 with water purification device 20 asshown in FIG. 9, purification device 20 is shown occupying a portion ofthe internal chamber 77 of the inline dispenser housing 70 with waterpurification device 20 dimensioned such that water purification device20 cannot block the fluid outlet port 75 of dispenser 70 and precludefluid flow through internal chamber 77.

A main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 70 through a dispenservalve inlet 73 at a first fluid velocity, and moves through a fluidconduit 73 and exits dispenser 70 by way of a dispenser valve outlet 74.As the main fluid stream moves through conduit 72, fluid outlet port 75directs a secondary fluid stream originating from the main fluid streamaxially upward into the internal chamber 77 of the inline dispenser 70.Since water purification device 20 has no ports to directly mate withthe fluid ports of inline dispenser 70, there is no direct path for thesecondary fluid stream to flow from the fluid outlet port of thedispenser 70 to the water purification device 20. As a result, thesecondary fluid stream takes a non-direct path to the water purificationdevice 20 by first flowing into internal chamber 77, thereby filling theinternal chamber 77 of inline dispenser 70 with fluids. As the fluidoutlet port 75 directs the secondary fluid stream into internal chamber77 the fluid inlet port 76 of inline dispenser 70 directs the secondaryfluid stream axially downward from the internal chamber 77 of inlinedispenser 70 and back into the main fluid stream through a conduitorifice 78 located within the region proximal to fluid inlet port 76.Introducing the secondary fluid stream back into the main fluid streamresults in the main fluid stream exiting dispenser 70 through dispenservalve outlet 74.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, as the fluid outlet port 75 continues todirect the secondary fluid stream upward into the internal chamber 77, afluid level within the internal chamber 77, denoted by a fluid line 77a, will increase. When the fluid level within the internal chamber 77 ofinline dispenser 70 reaches to a level where the inlets 21 b, 25 a, and32 of the water purification device 20 are below the fluid line 77 a, aportion of the secondary fluid stream can flow through waterpurification device 20 by water ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a, and 32 of waterpurification device 20 to thereby allow for the proper dispensing ofwater purification materials.

FIG. 10 shows a further alternative embodiment of applicant's open pathsystem comprising a water purification device 20 located in a chamber 85of an inline dispenser 80. Inline dispenser 80 is further disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,660,802 and is manufactured by FountainheadTechnologies, Inc., located in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. As shown, inlinedispenser 80 includes a housing 81. Located within housing 81 isinternal chamber 85, which is capable of supporting water purificationdevice 20 freely therein. The lower portion of internal chamber 85includes a fluid outlet port 86 for directing a secondary fluid streaminto internal chamber 85 and a fluid inlet port 87 for directing asecondary fluid stream out of internal chamber 85. The fluid outlet port85 and the fluid inlet port 86 are both shown located proximal themidpoint region between the dispenser valve inlet 83 and a dispenservalve outlet 84 of dispenser 80.

In the operation of dispenser 80 with a fitted cartridge (not shown), amain fluid stream is directed into dispenser 80 through dispenser valveinlet 83 at a first fluid velocity, moves through fluid conduit 82 andexits inline dispenser 80 by way of dispenser valve outlet 84. As themain fluid stream moves through conduit 82, a fluid outlet port 86directs a secondary fluid stream originating from the main fluid streamaxially upward into the fitted cartridge (not shown) located within theinternal chamber 85 through the direct closed flow path formed by themating between a water inlet port of the fitted cartridge (not shown)and the fluid outlet port 86 of inline dispenser 80. The secondary fluidstream enters the fitted cartridge (not shown), flows through theinterior of the fitted cartridge (not shown) and exits the fittedcartridge through a fitted cartridge outlet (not shown) into internalchamber 85. As the secondary fluid stream flow through the fittedcartridge (not shown), purification materials located therein arereleased into the secondary fluid stream and are carried by thesecondary fluid stream into internal chamber 85.

The fluid inlet port 87 then directs the secondary fluid stream ininternal chamber 85 axially downward and back into the main fluidstream. The introduction of the secondary fluid from internal chamber 85back into the main fluid stream causes the main fluid stream to exitinline dispenser 80 through dispenser valve outlet 84 at a second fluidvelocity.

Referring back to FIG. 10, unlike in the use of a fitted cartridge withinline dispenser 80, which requires that the fitted cartridge bedirectly mated to inline dispenser 80, applicant's water purificationdevice 20 is shown located within inline dispenser 80, with inlets 21 b,25 a, and 32 and outlets 23 a of water purification device 20 notconnected nor engaging either fluid outlet port 86 or fluid inlet port87 of inline dispenser 80. Instead, inlets 21 b, 25 a, and 32 and outlet23 a of water purification device 20 are shown in FIG. 10 spaced fromboth fluid ports of inline dispenser 80 to thereby form an open flowpath. The open flow path permits the secondary fluid stream to lingerwithin internal chamber 85 of dispenser 80 so that purification device20 is able to dispense proper purification material into the secondaryfluid stream before the secondary fluid stream is directed from theinternal chamber back into the main fluid stream. The water purificationdevice 20 does not require water inlets 21 b, 25 a, and 32 and outlets23 a to be directly connected to or engaging the fluid ports of inlinedispenser 80 in order for water purification device 20 to dispenseproper purification material. The applicant's combination inlinedispenser 80 and non-fitted water purification device 20 that forms anopen flow path through the inline dispenser allows one to use waterpurification device 20 in inline dispenser 80 which normally uses afitted cartridge thus eliminating the need for a fitted cartridge.

Also note that since water purification device 20 is not mated directlyto the fluid ports of inline dispenser 80, support for waterpurification device 20 within internal chamber 85 of inline dispenser 80can be by way of an interior wall surface 80 a of inline dispenser 80,interior wall surface 80 a of inline dispenser 80 tapering towards fluidconduit 82 so as to provide stability to water purification device 20.Similar to FIGS. 7 and 7A, when water purification device 20 iscircumferentially supported within inline dispenser 80 by interior wallsurface 80 a, scallops 21 e, 21 f, and 21 g located on the side of waterpurification device 20 forms openings with the interior wall surfaces ofinline dispenser 80 (not shown) to allow for water to flow therethrough.

In the operation of inline dispenser 80 with the water purificationdevice 20, purification device 20 is shown occupying a portion of theinternal chamber 85 of the inline dispenser housing 81 with waterpurification device 20 dimensioned such that water purification device20 cannot block the fluid outlet port 86 of dispenser 80 and precludefluid flow through internal chamber 85.

A main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 80 through a dispenservalve inlet 83 at a first fluid velocity, and moves through a fluidconduit 82 and exits dispenser 80 by way of a dispenser valve outlet 84.As the main fluid stream moves through conduit 82, the fluid outlet port86 of inline dispenser 80 directs a secondary fluid stream originatingfrom the main fluid stream axially upward into the internal chamber 85of the inline dispenser 80. Since the purification device 20 has noports to mate with the fluid ports of inline dispenser 80, there is nodirect path for the secondary fluid stream to flow from the fluid outletport of the dispenser 80 to the water purification device 20. As aresult, the secondary fluid stream takes a non-direct path to the waterpurification device 20 by first flowing into internal chamber 85,thereby filling the internal chamber 85 of inline dispenser 80 withfluids. As the fluid outlet port 86 directs the secondary fluid streaminto internal chamber 85, the fluid inlet port 87 of inline dispenser 80directs the secondary fluid stream axially downward from the internalchamber 85 of inline dispenser 80 and back into the main fluid stream.The movement of the secondary fluid stream back into the main fluidstream results in the main fluid stream exiting dispenser 80 throughdispenser valve outlet 84 at a second fluid velocity.

In FIG. 10, as the fluid outlet port 86 continues to direct thesecondary fluid stream upward into internal chamber 85, a fluid levelwithin the internal chamber 85, denoted by a fluid line 85 a, willincrease. When the fluid level within the internal chamber 85 of inlinedispenser 80 reaches to a fluid level where the inlets 21 b, 25 a, and32 of the water purification device 20 are below the fluid line 85 a, aportion of the secondary fluid stream is can flow through waterpurification device 20 via water ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a, and 32 of waterpurification device 20 to thereby allow for the proper dispensing ofwater purification materials.

The present invention thus is a combination of a free standing waterpurification material container and an inline dispenser normally havingfluid ports directly mateable to the ports of a fitted cartridge. Thewater purification device 20 id located freely within the dispenserhousing with the water ports of the water purification device 20 spacedfrom the fluid outlet port and the fluid inlet port of the dispenserhousing to form an open flow path and to prevent blocking of the ports.Since water purification device 20 does not require water inlets 21 b,25 a, and 32 and outlets 23 a be directly connected to or engaging thefluid ports of the inline dispenser to dispense proper purificationmaterial, applicant's combination inline dispenser and waterpurification device 20 forms an open flow path through the inlinedispenser and thus allows one to use water purification device 20 ininline dispensers which normally uses a fitted cartridge therebyproviding a universal cartridge for use with inline dispensers.

The present invention also comprises the method of replacing a closedflow path system wherein a fitted cartridge has an inlet port directlymated to the fluid outlet port of an inline dispenser and has an outletreturn port directly mated to the fluid inlet port of the inlinedispenser with an open flow path system wherein the cartridge ports donot directly mate with the fluid ports of the inline dispenser. Thesteps include: (1) removing the cover of the water purification materialinline dispenser; (2) disconnecting the mating fitting between thefitted water purification cartridge ports and the inline dispenser fluidports; (3) removing the fitted water purification cartridge from theinternal chamber of the purification material inline dispenser; (4)inserting a non-fitted water purification device 20 within the internalchamber of the inline dispenser with the fluid ports of the purificationdevice spaced from the fluid ports of the inline dispenser; and (5)connecting the cover back on the purification material inline dispenser.

It should be pointed out that the universal container described hereinis characterized by being a non-fitted cartridge that is sufficientlysmall so as to be able to be placed in a number of different inlinedispensers and still allow for fluids to flow into the dispenser. Inaddition, if desired the universal container and the water treatmentmaterial could be integral to each other.

FIG. 11 shows a front view and FIG. 12 shows a partial cross-sectionalview of a two-piece dual dispensing cartridge 90 that can be used as thewater purification container for applicant's combination inlinedispenser and water purification container. The dual dispensingcartridge 90 comprises water purification material device 20, shown inFIGS. 3-6, attached to a rate adjustable material dispenser 91.

Typically, material dispenser 91 is made of a lightweight plastic or thelike. Material dispenser 91 includes a housing 92 having a first end 94,a second end 95. Located within material dispenser 91 is an internalchamber 96 for holding a dispensing material 104. Although dispensingmaterial 104 in the present embodiment comprises a mineral containingchlorine, bromine, or the like, other fluid dispensing materials may becarried by material dispenser 91 such as bacteria killing materials,algaecide, clarifiers and pH adjustment materials.

Located on the wall 93 of material dispenser 91 proximate the first end94 of housing 92 is a plurality of openings comprising a fluid port 97for the ingress and egress of fluids and located proximate second end 95of housing 92 is a plurality of opening comprising a fluid port 98 forthe ingress and egress of fluids from material dispenser 91. Located onthe housing between the port 97 and the port 98 of material dispenser 91is an opening comprising a gate guide 99. Slidably secured to theinterior surface of housing 92 is a gate 100 for controlling thedispensing of minerals located within material dispenser 91 of dualdispensing cartridge 90. Located on gate 100 and protruding out throughgate guide 99 of material dispenser 91 is a gate handle 101 for slidablymoving gate 100 to control the size of fluid port 97 and fluid port 98thereby controlling the flow of fluids through material dispenser 91.Although the present embodiment includes the use of a gate forcontrolling the flow of fluids through material dispenser 91,alternative embodiments may include a material dispenser having no fluidflow controlling mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 12 material dispenser 91 includes a cylindrical wall 93extending beyond the first end 93 of material dispenser 91 to form amouth 102 for engaging water purification device 20. Water purificationdevice 20 is secured to the mouth 102 of material dispenser 91 by a setof locking pins 103. Although FIGS. 11 and 12 show water purificationdevice 20 secured to mouth 102 of material dispenser 91 by locking pins103, water purification device 20 may alternatively be secured to mouth102 of material dispenser 91 by other methods including an adhesive, bya snap-on mechanism, or by a threaded mechanism. The second container isseparate from the first container, which allows the second containerseparable from the first and vice versa. The separable feature allowsone to replace one of the dispensing devices while retaining the other.Located on housing 92 between the first end 94 and mouth 102 is aplurality of ports 105. The engagement of water purification device 20to the mouth 102 of material dispenser 91 forms a chamber 106 fordirecting the flow of fluids from water purification device 20 throughplurality of ports 105.

FIG. 13 shows a front view and FIG. 14 shows a partial cross-sectionalview of a one-piece dual dispensing cartridge 106 that can be usedalternatively as the water purification container for applicant'scombination inline dispenser and water purification material container.Dual dispensing cartridge 106 is typically made of a lightweight plasticor the like.

The one-piece dual dispensing cartridge 106 includes a housing 107having a first end 108, a second end 109, and a central dividing wall110 dividing housing 107 into two portions. In the present embodimentthe portion of the housing 107 located proximate to the first end 108 ofhousing 107 comprises a water purification material dispensing container111 and the portion of the housing 107 located proximate the second endof the housing 107 comprises a material-dispensing container 112.

The water purification material-dispensing container 111, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, has a spherical shaped body. Located on thepurification material-dispensing container 111 proximate the first endof housing 108 are several set of openings comprising a plurality offluid ports 113, 114, and 115 of water purification material-dispensingcontainer 111. Located on water purification material-dispensingcontainer 111 proximate the central dividing wall 110 (shown in FIG. 14)is a plurality of opening comprising a fluid port 116 of waterpurification material-dispensing container 111.

As shown in FIG. 14, located within the interior of material-dispensingcontainer 111 is a compartment 117 for holding a water purificationmaterial 118 and an internal chamber 119 for directing the flow offluids through fluid port 116 of water purification material-dispensingcontainer 111. Separating the compartment 117 from the internal chamber119 of water purification material-dispensing container 111 is a wall120 having a plurality of ports 121 located thereon. The ports 121 aresufficiently small to keep water purification materials 118 within thecompartment 117 while allowing for the flow of fluids therethrough.

In the operation for the dispensing of water purification material 118,normally a fluid flow is directed into water purificationmaterial-dispensing container 111 by ports 113, 114, and 115 and out ofwater purification material-dispensing container 111 through fluid port116. As the fluid flow is directed through water purificationmaterial-dispensing container 111 a portion of the fluid flow isdirected into compartment 117. While in compartment 117, waterpurification material 118 located therein is released into the fluidflow. After water purification material is released into the fluid flow,the fluid flow is directed out of compartment 117 through ports 121.

In regards to the material-dispensing container 112, material-dispensingcontainer 112 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 comprises a cylindrical body.As shown in FIG. 14, located within the material-dispensing container112 is an internal chamber 122 for holding a dispensing material 123.Dispensing material 123 can comprises a mineral containing chlorine,bromine, or other fluid dispensable materials. Located on thematerial-dispensing container 112 proximate the central dividing wall110 is a plurality of opening for the ingress and egress of fluidscomprising the fluid ports 124 of material-dispensing container 112.Located on the material-dispensing container 112 proximate the secondend 109 of the housing 107 is a plurality of openings for the ingressand egress of fluids comprising the fluid ports 125 ofmaterial-dispensing container 112. Located on the housing 107 betweenthe port 124 of the material dispenser 112 and the port 125 of thematerial dispenser 112 is an opening comprising a gate guide 126.Slidably secured to the interior surface of housing 107 is a gate 127for controlling the dispensing of a fluid dispensable material such asmaterials 123 located within the material dispenser 112. Located on gate127 and protruding out through gate guide 126 of material-dispensingcontainer 112 is a gate handle 128 for slidably moving gate 127 tocontrol the size of fluid port 124 and fluid port 125 of the materialdispenser 112 thereby controlling the flow of fluids throughmaterial-dispensing container 112.

Although the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 includes the use of gate 127for controlling the flow of fluids through material-dispensing container112, alternative embodiments may include a material-dispensing containerhaving no fluid flow controlling mechanism.

The one-piece dual dispensing cartridge 106 of FIGS. 13 and 14 alsoinclude a plurality of legs 129 attached to the second end 109 of thedual dispensing cartridge 106 for supporting cartridge 106 within theinline dispenser.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing applicant's open pathsystem comprising two-piece dual dispensing cartridge 90 and an inlinedispenser 50 as disclosed in FIG. 7. As shown, internal chamber 56 iscapable of supporting dual dispensing cartridge 90 freely therein.

FIG. 15 illustrates that dual dispensing cartridge 90 need not beconfined or secured to inline dispenser 50 but instead can be “freestanding” within the internal chamber 56 of the dispenser housing 51,dual dispensing cartridge 90 is shown in FIG. 15 supported within inlinedispenser 50 by the flange or vertical member 59 and the interior wallsurfaces of housing 51, instead of by the fluid ports as shown in FIG.2.

In the operation of inline dispenser 50 with dual dispensing cartridge90, dual dispensing cartridge 90 occupies a portion of the internalchamber 56 of the inline dispenser housing 51 with dual dispensingcartridge 90 dimensioned such that dual dispensing cartridge 90 cannotblock the fluid outlet port 57 of dispenser 50 and preclude fluid flowthrough internal chamber 56. FIG. 15 shows Flange 59 supporting dualdispensing cartridge 90 within internal chamber 56 in a spaced conditionabove the fluid outlet port and the fluid inlet port so as not to engageand block fluid flow through the fluid outlet port 57 and the fluidinlet port 58 of inline dispenser 50.

A main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 50 through a dispenservalve inlet 52 at a first fluid velocity, and moves through a fluidconduit 54 (indicated by arrows) and exits dispenser 50 by way of adispenser valve outlet 53. As the main fluid stream moves throughconduit 54, fluid outlet port 57 directs a secondary fluid streamoriginating from the main fluid stream axially upward into internalchamber 56. The size of the secondary fluid stream directed axiallyupward into the internal chamber 56 is controlled by an inline dispensercontroller 55. Since dual dispensing cartridge 90 has no ports to matewith the fluid ports of inline dispenser 50, there is no direct path forthe secondary fluid stream to flow from the fluid outlet port of thedispenser 50 to dual dispensing cartridge 90. As a result, the secondaryfluid stream takes a non-direct path to the dual dispensing cartridge 90by first flowing into internal chamber 56, thereby filling the internalchamber 56 of inline dispenser 50 with fluids. In spite of the lack of adirect path I have found that I can properly dispense both a firstdispensing material such as a water purification materials and a seconddispensing material such as chlorine, bromine or other fluid dispensablematerial into the system through an open path system.

In the embodiment of FIG. 15, as the fluid outlet port 57 continues todirect the secondary fluid stream upward into the internal chamber 56,the fluid level within the internal chamber 56, denoted by the fluid orwater line 56 a, will increase. When the fluid level within the internalchamber 56 of inline dispenser 50 reaches to a level where the port 97of the material dispenser 91 are below fluid line 56 a, a portion of thesecondary fluid stream enters through material dispenser 91 through port97 and port 98 of material dispenser 91 to thereby allowing for thedispensing of minerals such as chlorine and bromine. The amount ofmaterial that is dispensed by material dispenser 91 of the dualdispensing cartridge 90 can be controlled independently of the controlof the fluid flowing through dispenser 50 by controlling the size offluid port 97 and fluid port 98 of the material dispenser 91 through thesliding of gate 100 by way of gate handle 101.

In addition, when the fluid level within the internal chamber 56 ofinline dispenser 50 reaches to a level where the inlets 21 b, 23 a, 25a, and 32 of the water purification device 20 are below fluid line 56 a,a portion of the secondary fluid stream is permitted to enter throughdual dispensing cartridge 90 by fluid ports 21 b, 23 a, 25 a, and 32 ofwater purification device 20 and fluid port 105 of material dispenser 91to thereby allow for the proper dispensing of water purificationmaterials.

Fluid inlet port 58 then directs the secondary fluid stream axiallydownward from the internal chamber 56 back into the main fluid stream.The movement of the secondary fluid stream back into the main fluidstream results in the main fluid stream exiting dispenser 50 throughdispenser valve outlet 53 at a second fluid velocity.

Applicant's open path system of FIG. 15 thus can allow the user toregulate the dispensing of materials in two separate methods. The firstmethod in regulating the dispensing of the materials is by controllingthe size of the secondary fluid stream that enters the internal chamber56 of inline dispenser 50 by inline dispenser controller 55. Controllingthe size of the secondary fluid stream that enters the internal chamber56 will allow a user to regulate the amount of materials that aredispensed from water purification device 20 and the amount of materialsthat are dispensed from material dispenser 91. The second method inregulating the dispensing of materials is by controlling the amount offluids that flows through material dispenser 91 from internal chamber 56of dispenser 50 by controlling the size of fluid port 97 and fluid port98 of the material dispenser 91 through the sliding of gate 100 by wayof gate handle 101.

FIG. 16 shows a front view and FIG. 17 shows a partial cross-sectionalview of an alternative embodiment of a one-piece dual dispensingcartridge 130 that can be used as the water purification container forapplicant's combination inline dispenser and water purification materialcontainer. The dual dispensing cartridge 130 of FIGS. 16 and 17comprises a cylindrical housing 131 having a first end 132, a second end133 and having a central member 134 (shown in FIG. 17) located therebetween. Central member 134 separates housing 131 into a first chamber135 for holding a first dispensing material and a second chamber 137 forholding a second dispensing material. In the present embodiment thefirst dispensing material 136 comprises a water purification materialand the second dispensing material 138 comprise a mineral, chlorine,bromine, or other fluid dispensable material.

Located on the first chamber 135 proximate the first end 132 of the dualdispensing cartridge 130 is a first set of openings 139 of the firstchamber 135 and located on the first chamber 135 proximate centralmember 134 is a second set of openings 140 of first chamber 135. Thefirst set of openings 139 and the second set of openings 140 comprisesthe fluid ports of the first chamber 135 for the ingress and egress offluids therethrough to thereby allow for the dispensing of waterpurification material 136 located therein.

Located on the first chamber 135 between the first set of openings 139and the second set of openings 140 is a first gate guide 141. As shownin FIG. 18, slidably secured to an interior surface 143 of the firstchamber 135 of the housing 131 is a first gate 142 for controlling thedispensing of water purification material 136 located within the firstchamber 135. Securement of the first gate 142 to the interior surface143 of the first chamber 135 is further shown in FIG. 18. Located on thefirst gate 142 and protruding out through the gate guide 141 of thefirst chamber 135 is a gate handle 144 for slidably moving the firstgate 142 to control the size of openings 139 and 140 of the firstchamber 135 to thereby control the rate of water purification material136 dispensed by the first chamber 135.

Located on the second chamber 137 proximate the central member 134 is afirst set of openings 145 of the second chamber 137 and located on thesecond chamber 137 proximate the second end 133 of the dual dispensingcartridge 130 is a second set of openings 146 of the second chamber 137.The first set of openings 145 and the second set of openings 146 of thesecond chamber 137 comprises the fluid ports of the second chamber 137for the ingress and egress of fluids therethrough to thereby allow forthe dispensing of minerals 138 such as chlorine and bromine locatedtherein. Located on the second chamber 137 between the first set ofopenings 145 and the second set of opening 146 of the second chamber 137is a second gate guide 147.

Slidably secured to an interior surface 148 of the second chamber 137 ofthe housing 131 is a second gate 149 for controlling the dispensiblematerial of second dispensing 138 located therein. Securement of thesecond gate 149 to the interior surface 148 of the second chamber isalso further shown in FIG. 18. Located on the second gate 149 andprotruding out through the gate guide 147 of the second chamber 137 is agate handle 150 for slidably moving the second gate 149 to control thesize of the openings 145 and 146 of the second chamber 137 to therebycontrol the rate of material 138 dispensed by the second chamber 137.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the securement of thefirst gate 142 to the interior surface 143 of the first chamber 135 andthe securement of the second gate 149 to the interior surface 148 of thesecond chamber 137.

As shown, located on the interior surface 143 of the first chamber 135between the first end 132 of the housing 131 and the first set ofopenings 139 of the first chamber 135 is a first gate support 151 andlocated on the interior surface 143 of the first chamber 135 between thecentral member 134 and the second set of openings 140 of the firstchamber is a second gate support 152 for slidably securing the firstgate 142 to the interior surface 143 of the first chamber 135.

Located on the interior surface 148 of the second chamber 137 betweenthe central member 134 and the first set of openings 146 of the secondchamber 137 (shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) is a third gate support 153 andlocated on the interior surface 148 of the second chamber 137 betweenthe second end 133 of housing 131 and the second set of openings 146 ofthe second chamber 137 (shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) is a fourth gatesupport 154 for slidably securing the second gate 149 to the interiorsurface 148 of the second chamber 137.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof a dual dispenser cartridge 155. The dual dispensing cartridge 155 ofFIG. 19 comprises a cylindrical housing 156 having a first end 157, asecond end 158 and having a central member 159 located between the firstend 157 and the second end 158 that separates housing 156 into a firstchamber 160 for holding a first fluid dispensable material 161 such as awater purification material and a second chamber 162 for holding asecond fluid dispensable material 163 such as a mineral, chlorine andbromine. The dual dispenser cartridge 155 of FIG. 19 is similar to dualdispenser cartridge 130 except that the dual dispenser cartridge 155does not include a gate located in the first chamber 160 for controllingthe dispensing of the first dispensable material 161.

Although the embodiments of FIGS. 16-19 includes the use of a gate forcontrolling the flow of fluids through the chambers, alternativeembodiments of the dual dispenser cartridge may include a dual dispensercartridge having all of the chambers with no fluid flow controllingmechanism or a dual dispenser cartridge having all of its chambers apreset nonadjustable fluid flow.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view showing applicant's open pathsystem comprising the dual dispensing cartridge 130 of FIGS. 16-18 andthe inline dispenser 50 as disclosed in FIG. 7. As shown, internalchamber 56 is capable of supporting dual dispensing cartridge 130 freelytherein.

FIG. 20 illustrates that dual dispensing cartridge 130 need not beconfined or secured to inline dispenser 50 but instead can be “freestanding” within the internal chamber 56 of the dispenser housing 51,dual dispensing cartridge 130 is shown in FIG. 20 supported withininline dispenser 50 by the flange 59 and the interior wall surfaces ofhousing 51, instead of by the fluid ports of the dispenser as shown inFIG. 2.

In the operation of inline dispenser 50 with dual dispensing cartridge130, dual dispensing cartridge 130 occupies a portion of the internalchamber 56 of the inline dispenser housing 51 with dual dispensingcartridge 130 dimensioned such that dual dispensing cartridge 130 cannotblock the fluid outlet port 57 of dispenser 50 and preclude fluid flowthrough internal chamber 56. Similar to FIG. 15, FIG. 20 shows flange 59supporting dual dispensing cartridge 130 within internal chamber 56 soas not to engage both the fluid outlet port 57 and the fluid port 58 ofinline dispenser 50 to thereby blocking fluid flow.

A main fluid stream is directed into dispenser 50 through dispenservalve 52 at a first fluid velocity, and moves through a fluid conduit 54(indicated by arrows) and exits dispenser 50 by way of dispenser valveoutlet 53. As the main fluid stream moves through conduit 54, fluidoutlet port 57 directs a secondary fluid stream originating from themain fluid stream axially upward into internal chamber 56. The size ofthe secondary fluid stream that is directed into internal chamber 56 canbe controlled by inline dispenser controller 55. Since dual dispensingcartridge 130 has no ports to mate with the fluid ports of inlinedispenser 50, there is no direct path for the secondary fluid stream toflow from the fluid outlet port 57 of the dispenser 50 to dualdispensing cartridge 130. As a result, the secondary fluid stream takesa non-direct path to the dual dispensing cartridge 130 by first flowinginto internal chamber 56, thereby filling the internal chamber 56 ofinline dispenser 50 with fluids. In spite of the lack of a direct path Ihave found that I can properly dispenser both water purificationmaterials and minerals such as chlorine and bromine into the systemthrough an open path system.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20, as the fluid outlet port 57 continues todirect the secondary fluid stream upward into the internal chamber 56,the fluid level within the internal chamber 56, denoted by the fluid orwater line 56 a, will increase. When the fluid level within the internalchamber 56 of inline dispenser 50 reaches to a level where the first setof openings 145 and the second set of opening 146 of the of the secondchamber 137 are below the fluid line 56 a, a portion of the secondaryfluid stream is permitted to enter through the second chamber 137through the opened portion of the first set of openings 145 and thesecond set of openings 146 of the second chamber 137 to thereby allowfor the proper dispensing of the second dispensable material 138 such aschlorine and bromine located therein.

The amount of second dispensable material 138 dispensed by the dualdispensing cartridge 130 can be controlled by controlling the size ofopenings 139 and 140 of the dual dispensing cartridge 130 through thepositioning of the second gate 149 by way of second gate handle 150.

When the fluid level within the internal chamber 56 of inline dispenser50 reaches to a level where first set of opening 139 and second set ofopenings 140 of the first chamber 135 are below the fluid line 56 a, aportion of the secondary fluid stream is permitted to enter through theopened portion of the first set of openings 139 and the second set ofopenings 140 of the first chamber 135 to thereby allow for the properdispensing of water purification materials 136 located therein.

The amount of water purification material 136 that are dispensed by dualdispensing cartridge 130 can be controlled by controlling the size ofthe openings 145 and 146 of the dual dispensing cartridge 130 throughthe positioning of the first gate 142 by way of first gate handle 144.

A fluid inlet port 58 then directs the secondary fluid stream axiallydownward from the internal chamber 56 back into the main fluid stream.The movement of the secondary fluid stream back into the main fluidstream results in the main fluid stream exiting dispenser 50 throughdispenser valve outlet 53 at a second fluid velocity.

Applicant's open path system of FIG. 20 thus allows the user to regulatethe dispensing of materials in two separate methods. The first method inregulating the dispensing of the materials is by controlling the size ofthe secondary fluid stream that enters the internal chamber 56 of inlinedispenser 50 by inline dispenser controller 55. Controlling the size ofthe secondary fluid stream that enters the internal chamber 56 willallow a user to regulate the amount of materials that are dispensed fromfirst chamber 135 and the amount of materials that are dispensed fromsecond chamber 137. The second method in regulating the dispensing ofmaterials is by controlling the amount of fluids that flows throughchambers 135 and 137 from internal chamber 56 of dispenser 50 bycontrolling the size of fluid port 97 and fluid port 98 of the materialdispenser 91 through the sliding of gates 142 and 149 by way of gatehandles 144 and 150.

1. In combination: an inline dispenser having a dispenser housing with aclosed chamber, and a dispenser valve for directing a main fluid streamtherethrough, said inline dispenser housing having a fluid inlet portfor directing a secondary fluid stream originating from said main fluidstream into the closed chamber in the dispenser housing and a fluidoutlet port for directing said secondary fluid stream out of the closedchamber in the dispenser housing and back to said main fluid stream,said dispenser valve having an inline dispenser controller forcontrolling the size of said secondary fluid stream directed throughsaid closed chamber; a first container located in said dispenser housingfor dispensing a first water purification material therefrom as waterflows through said first container; and a second container located insaid housing for dispensing a second water purification materialtherefrom as water flows through said second container, said secondcontainer replaceable without replacing said first container or viceversa, said second container having a fluid port spaced from a fluidport in said first container to provide an open flow path between thefluid port in said first container and the fluid port in said secondcontainer as materials are dispensed from said first container and saidsecond container, said first container and said second containerdimensioned such that a member extending above the fluid inlet port andthe fluid outlet port supports a bottom portion of the second containerin a spaced condition above the fluid inlet port and the fluid outletport so that the second container cannot block the fluid outlet port orthe fluid inlet port of the dispenser and preclude fluid flow throughthe closed chamber.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the firstcontainer is secured to the second container by a locking pin.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the first container contains chlorine. 4.An inline dispenser for use in a pool, spa or hot tub comprising: adispenser valve for directing a main water stream therethrough; aninline dispenser housing having an inlet fluid port for directing asecondary water stream originating from said main water stream into aclosed chamber in the dispenser housing and an outlet fluid port fordirecting said secondary water stream out of the closed chamber in thedispenser housing and back to said main water stream; an inlinedispenser controller for controlling the size of said secondary waterstream directed through said closed chamber; a first container locatedin said dispenser housing for dispensing a first water purificationmaterial therefrom as water flows from said inlet fluid port into saidfirst container, said first container having a fluid port therein forwater to flow out of said first container; and a second containerlocated in said housing for dispensing a second water purificationmaterial as water flows through said second container, said secondcontainer separable from said first container for replacing said secondcontainer independent of said first container or vice versa, said secondcontainer having a fluid port therein for water to flow into said secondcontainer; said second container separate from said first container toprovide an open flow path between the fluid port in said first containerand the fluid port in said second container to thereby dispensematerials from said first container and said second container as waterflows through the first container and the second container in saiddispenser housing; and a vertical extending member located between saidinlet fluid port and said outlet fluid port to prevent blockage of fluidflow through the outlet fluid port and the inlet fluid port.
 5. Theinline dispenser of claim 4 including an open flow path between saidinlet fluid port in said housing and said first container.
 6. The inlinedispenser of claim 5 including an open flow path between said outletfluid port in said housing and said second container.